A dedicated reading area in your home, classroom or toddler community is a great way to support young readers. It can also provide a moment of respite from the busy home or classroom. It can be a quiet space, a comfortable space. A space where the child can come to catch their breath and gather their thoughts, perhaps regroup, perhaps even lose themselves in the pages of a good book. Here are some inspiring reading areas from various Montessori environments that I'm sure you'll love!

Simplicity is key here (isn't it always)! Simple shelf and mattress with a few cushions. 

"This is a favorite space for the whole family. Sonny’s bedtime routine includes reading books and snuggling in this cozy spot with us.⁣ His books are displayed where all the covers can be seen and the shelf is low enough for him to independently select a book. He loves to practice taking books off the shelf and putting them back on." - Sonny's Montessori.

This is in a beautiful Montessori Early Learning Centre in Germany. 

This is from France, an approximate translation "Here is an example of a welcoming library. It is at the height of the child and it can accommodate books arranged so that the cover is visible, much easier for the child to make his choice. Instilling a love of reading in your children is a wonderful task and an invaluable gift to them. Books open the doors to unlimited education in all areas." 

I love how this space is in the family living area with a nice view of the outdoors, in sunny Queensland.

This is in a French Montessori environment in Singapore. The acrylic on the bookshelves is a great idea for little ones so they can see the entire book cover without any distractions. 

A cozy little nook. 

The next two are more about books but they are worth capturing and sharing.

"My blonde, green eyed daughter will never have a problem seeing herself in books or media, so we make intentional choices in the books, art and toys she has. As much as it matters that children of colour have books that they can see themselves in, it matters just as much that white children see people of colour in their media. The world is a beautiful, diverse place. So my daughter will have a Muslim doll in hijab next to dolls of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, and books about Sikh children next to books by indigenous authors, and books about Princess Leia next to books about pride, because one of the best thing I can do as a parent is to teach her that we are all stronger together, that love will conquer hate, and hope that her generation is the one to finally get it." - Ash Speed (Diamond Montessori). 

"It is never too early to build a love of literature. Young children enjoy books with lots of rhyme and repetition. With our infants, we have read books with large pictures or bright and bold illustrations set against contrasting backgrounds. Ones that have simple pictures, one per page. We love the Creature series by Andrew Zuckerman and the Opposites with Frank Lloyd Wright and Baby's First Eames, the ABCs of Modern Architecture and Design board books. We also recommend the book by our friends at @baandek My first Book of Patterns, such beautiful pages! For our toddlers, we reach for predictable books with repeated text, words that rhyme, and pictures that correspond to the text. Books with songs and repetitive verses are always a good choice. They relish being able to chime in. We jump at the invitation books offer for children to join in the reading process. A few of our favourites are Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle, I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen and Old MacDonald Had a Truck by Steve Goetz. We like to offer a mix of board, hardcover, softcover and fabric books and use every opportunity to model how we care for them." - Westside Montessori.

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